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Rao's
$$$$ · Italian

455 E 114th St, New York, NY 10029
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ZipPicks Awards

Best Date Night Italian in East Harlem Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in East Harlem Best Fine Dining Restaurants in East Harlem Best Romantic Restaurants in East Harlem

Vibe Check this spot

Food Quality 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Consistency 5
Cultural Relevance 5

0 / 5 selected

Master Critic Review

Rao's 9.2
East Harlem
Vibes: Date Night Magic Luxury Dining Elite Hidden Gems Heaven Birthday & Celebration Central
Rao’s is the tiny East Harlem Italian institution that’s nearly impossible to book, with just a handful of tables, celebrity-tinged regulars, and family-style service. If you can get in, it becomes a once-in-a-while romantic splurge built around classic meatballs, lemon chicken, and a room that hasn’t really changed in decades.
Must-Try Dishes: Rao’s Famous Meatballs, Double Broiled Lemon Chicken, Seafood Salad
Scores:
Value: 7 Service: 9.2 Consistency: 9.1 Food Quality: 9.3 Atmosphere: 9.5 Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: Tiny, reservation-locked Italian room where 120-plus years of regulars, family recipes, and stories make dinner feel like a private club.
Who should go: Serious Italian-American fans lucky enough to be invited.
When to visit: Weeknight seatings when the bar and dining room feel most intimate.
What to order: Seafood salad, Rao’s famous meatballs, double broiled lemon chicken.
Insider tip: If you land a table, treat it as a long, paced meal and let the staff guide the order.